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Remembering when Kaepernick was far from super

By Matt Langone

Updated:
02/02/2013 02:03:19 PM EST

I remember the first time I saw Colin Kaepernick play football. Things were a bit different then.

On the evening of Sept. 5, 2009, I certainly didn't have Kaepernick, the dynamic San Francisco 49ers quarterback, pegged for NFL stardom or as the next "Big Thing" in the realm of NFL quarterbacks. On that warm, sunny Saturday I was in attendance at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., for the season opener between Kaepernick's University of Nevada and the Fighting Irish.

Myself and a few friends, one being a Notre Dame alum, flew out to South Bend for the weekend. Kaepernick at that time was beginning the junior season of his illustrious four-year career at Nevada, a career which saw him throw for 10,098 yards and 82 touchdowns, and rush for 4,112 yards and 59 touchdowns. He's the only QB in Division 1 FBS history to amass over 10,000 and 4,000.

Amongst those who know college football, there was certainly hype surrounding Kaepernick as that season began. I heard all about it as we spent some time tailgating with Wolfpack fans before the game.

But, you know, it was the type of hype you hear about players who play in obscure locations who are great "in college" but almost surely don't have realistic chances of duplicating their exploits in the NFL.

I may not be Mel Kiper Jr., but I couldn't see Kaepernick's eventual draft stock being too high. He seemed like a gimmicky QB. Come on, what's the deal with that pistol offense? Still, I was excited to watch the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder display his talent.

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It was the rare chance to see him, considering he played across the country for a school not named USC or Oregon.

Notre Dame was ranked 23rd in the preseason poll. Charlie Weis' squad, which went on to finish 6-6, had a defense that would never be confused with the 1985 Chicago Bears - the Fighting Irish gave up 30 or more points six times that season. Yet, on this day, Kaepernick looked confused, beaten down and less than ordinary.

Notre Dame crushed Nevada, 35-0.

The final stat line for Kaepernick: 12-for-23, 149 yards, two interceptions, and 39 yards rushing. I don't remember seeing gazelle-like running ability, or rocket arm strength.

Yup, I thought afterwards, won't be seeing this dude ever again. Go back to the WAC, the land of no defense. See you in the CFL, Colin.

I guess what I meant to think was: Can't wait to watch you dominate NFL defenses and set playoff records, Colin. See you in Super Bowl XLVII. Oops.

There's some great basketball being played at a pair of Division 3 Massachusetts schools.

The WPI men's team is 20-0 entering Saturday's tilt against the Coast Guard. The Engineers are one of only two unbeaten teams in all of D3.

Sophomore guard and Acton-Boxboro High grad Sam Longwell has started all 20 games and is second on the team at 14.6 points per game. Senior guard and Wilmington High grad Craig Melillo has appeared in 10 games and is averaging almost two points.

Meanwhile, the Tufts University women's team was 21-0 entering Friday night's game at Trinity.

The fifth-ranked Jumbos are led by sophomore Acton-Boxboro grad Hannah Foley at 12.1 points per game.

Here's a way for UMass Lowell athletics to get some added exposure: Try to enter junior forward Antonio Bivins in the annual State Farm College Slam Dunk Championship.

On the College Slam Dunk & 3-point Championship Facebook page, people can post nominees for the 2013 Dark Horse Dunker. The winner will compete in the 2013 contest on ESPN on April 4.

Bivins, a 6-foot-5 Miami native, has incredible leaping ability. He would certainly not embarrass himself against the best dunkers in college hoops.

Ouch. First Rajon Rondo goes down with the torn ACL last Sunday, and now Boston Celtics first-round pick and rookie forward Jared Sullinger will miss the rest of the season.

Sullinger underwent successful lumbar disc surgery Friday.

It was difficult to listen to the irrational discussion on talk radio this week suggesting that the Celtics may somehow be perfectly fine without Rondo. Let's hear the silver lining after the Sullinger news.

Now to get down to some real business. Buffalo wings or honey barbecue for Sunday night?

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